I‘m just over halfway done this book. Erin Morgenstern is a genius. This book has everything booklovers desire: hidden passages, secrets in libraries, stories within stories, old books, many mysteries and beautiful meandering metaphorical mazes, and delicious food. What could be better.

I was happily surprised several times by this story. Like a cup of hot cocoa on a snowy day - it‘s exactly what you need.

Unpopular opinion:
The story got lost in all the details. The background, the science and the history overwhelmed and ultimately sank this narrative. Too bad, because it‘s an important and incredible story that needs telling. The movie was better.

I had never heard of the Kentucky blues. Or known much about the poverty the rural folks faced in the area. This book is about hope and hunger, yearning for learning and belonging, community and exclusion. And books.

I enjoyed this but can see that not everyone will. You just get to know the characters a little - enough to care but not enough to be invested in them. (With 2 exceptions).
The ending leaves a bit to be desired. There‘s no answers, but that‘s how life goes, right?

I enjoyed learning about the plight of Irish immigrants to America in the late 1800s. And the duties of a lady‘s maid.

I love when books grab you by the first page. My eyes are burning but I want to keep reading 😓😴

Well, that was unexpected. Pulls you in from the first paragraph. And unlike most page turners out there - this doesn‘t start with a murder. #original fresh and utterly unputdownable.

I wonder if my rating would be much different if I was 16. I don‘t know. I won‘t be continuing with the series. Pros: cool world and rules around magic
Cons: insta-love (groan) and most of the characterizations

A completely unbelievable under plotted ending. It‘s almost like she wrote up to the end and then said shoot, I need to find a way to finish this!

I absolutely hate this. I rarely hate a book. But this one I hate with the heat of a burning sun.
(but I enjoyed Girl on the Train until the stupid ending)
First of all, all the characters are deplorable. The only character I like is the little boy, Josh. My heart breaks for him. My question is this: do writers perpetuate patriarchy and rape culture by extolling it over and over in their books? Shouldn‘t we write the changes we want to see?

Enjoying breakfast with a book. I loved leaving time and hope this is just as good

Well, I didn‘t realize this was the second book in a series. Luckily, you don‘t need to know anything from the first book to quickly understand. I loved this fast-paced book with a few good obstacles. I often roll my eyes in YA books but not this one. Cool world and good plot.

Unique with a modicum of funny thrown in. But repetitive. If you‘ve read 2-3 stories you‘ve read them all. I dnf just at halfway point and still felt I got the gist of the book.

Disappointing. All 3 main characters were extremely unlikable. The way they each attacked and hated Queen Elizabeth I was annoying and not well done. They all just repeated the same phrase over and over. Got old fast. Though I have enjoyed so many of Gregory‘s books, I wouldn‘t recommend this.

Deeply disappointing. The characters are flat, immature and 2-dimensional. Nothing like how they were in the series. Ginny and Harry‘s relationship is just painful. Harry‘s parenting abysmal. I won‘t go on. I bailed less than halfway through.

Oh this was so good. From the first page! I loved it. I‘ve known 2 “Eleanors” in my life and they both made me laugh just like this one. A brilliant debut.

I loved, loved, loved this book. There was not one word or comma or question mark that I didn‘t love. Anyone else feel me? I want to have a long discussion on this -preferably in England or Paris - but online from Canada will have to do.

This poem is written by one of the characters in the book. I love it 😍💗

Sucked in from the first sentence. But of course, it began to go on about the past and the mom‘s life (which was OK but a little annoying since the story already baited me). I think this is the unpopular vote but I found it just Ok.

@GypsyKat #janeAustenGiveaway My favourite book is Pride and Prejudice. My favourite character is Edward Farras in Sense and Sensibility and my favourite couple is Elizabeth and Darcy. 😍😍

Stayed up way past my bedtime last night to read. I am loving this!

“I am here on behalf of 6 million Jews who were slaughtered for no reason other than being Jews. The ghost of Hitler still works in Canada.” Page 156. I am appaled to learn that in Canada -Japanese Canadians (even those born in Canada) were hated, driven out and persecuted in 1945.

I want to like this! She talks about important issues that I care deeply about. So far, there have been a few gems (consisting of a paragraph here and there) and lots of yawning

Incredible!!! This is on the shortlist for 2018 Canada Reads. I hope it wins. Though it is written as a YA book, adults will enjoy it. Ultimately, this is a story of hope, family, and survival. A must read!

Rhett shows a little of what‘s inside: “in the depth of of his eyes a tiny light flickered for a brief moment, like a small raw flame. [...] I‘m waiting for you to grow up a little more. [...] and then, too he continued softly, ‘I was waiting for the memory of the estimable Ashley Wilkes to fade”